Seared Scallops With Jammy Cherry Tomatoes
Courtesy of the New York Times
Yield: 4 servings
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup thinly sliced shallots (about 2 shallots)
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup dry white wine, such as muscadet or sauvignon blanc
1 pound cherry tomatoes, cut in half through the stem (about 3 cups tomatoes)
Kosher salt and black pepper
16 large sea scallops (about 1 pound), tough muscle removed
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil or high-smoke point oil, plus more as needed
1 lemon, halved
Julienned fresh basil and mint, for serving
Coarse sea salt, for serving
Direction
Step 1
Heat a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-low heat and add the butter to melt. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, until tender but not browned. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant.
Step 2
Add the wine and cook until about half the liquid has evaporated.
Step 3
Add the tomatoes, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tomatoes have released their juices and almost completely collapsed. Transfer the tomato mixture to a small dish (use a rubber spatula to get every last bit of the sauce!), then carefully wipe out the pan with a damp paper towel.
Step 4
Pat the scallops dry. Add the oil to the skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. When the oil is very hot, add half the scallops, spacing them evenly in the pan, and season with kosher salt. Cook without moving for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown on the bottom. Flip and cook for 1 more minute. Don’t overcook! Transfer the scallops to a plate and repeat with the remaining scallops, adding more oil if necessary.
Step 5
Drain any remaining oil and take the skillet off the heat. Return the tomatoes and their juices to the skillet and squeeze in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Return the scallops to the skillet, nestling them into the tomatoes. Top with the zest of both lemon halves, julienned basil and mint, and a generous sprinkle of coarse sea salt, and serve immediately.
